US Airways - February 2014 - (Page 31)

explore Adventure Time to Play Perfect Powder Find out why Salt Lake City claims the "Greatest Snow on Earth." By Larry Olmsted "If you see snowflakes, it's snowing. If you see the sun, it's about to snow." That's how one local I shared a lift with described winter in Utah, and it's pretty accurate. Almost every day in the Wasatch mountains is either gorgeous and sunny or it's dumping powder that's so good the state's license plates call it the "Greatest Snow on Earth." A combination of high altitude and lake-effect snow from the Great Salt Lake produces an average of 40 snowstorms a season, 18 of which drop more than a foot, totaling 500 inches of dry, fluffy powder. All that great snow means there's ample opportunity for skiing and snowboarding at nine major resorts within an hour of the Salt Lake airport. No urban rival can touch Salt Lake for the quality or convenience of its ski offerings, making it the only major city that is a ski destination unto itself. "I always recommend Salt Lake for skiers, even from the East Coast," says Everett Potter, contributing editor to Ski Magazine. "I can't tell you how many times I've flown in and been clicking into my bindings at Alta or Snowbird just over an hour after landing." Potter recommends lodging downtown rather than slopeside. Besides being less expensive, it has lots of dining options, including Salt Lake's Red Iguana for Mexican food and Squatter's Pub or Hotel Monaco for after-dinner drinks. Plus, the ★ PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) BY MIKE FLAHERTY, MATHEW CRAWLEY, AND CHAD SPECTOR new TRAX light-rail runs straight from the airport downtown. There's a resort for every taste in the nation's most user-friendly winter destination. Each mountain has a distinctive character and appeal, whether you want to spend $139 for lodging and a lift ticket, or $1,000 a night on a butler-equipped suite. The following resorts won't disappoint; each is categorized into one of four geographic subsections. Clockwise from top: Wasatch mountains from Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbird, and Solitude Resort Little Cottonwood Canyon Just beyond the city limits, this world-famous destination gets even more snow than its neighbors - around 600 inches annually - and boasts two resorts that are legends in the ski world: Alta and Snowbird. Both have challenging terrain and are known favorites of serious skiers (and in the case of Snowbird, snowboarders). The adjacent resorts offer usairwaysmag.com FEBRUARY 2014 31 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - February 2014

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Diversions: Public Markets
Diversions: Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale
Diversions: The Philadelphia Mint
Connections
Style Spotlight: Cruise Control
Adventure: Skiing Salt Lake City
Adventure: Arizona Wet & Wild
Gear Up: Workout Tools
US Airways: History of African Americans in Aviation
Travel Feature: Eleuthera in the Bahamas
Great Tastes: Phoenix Dining
University of California at San Diego
Celebrate Black History Month: HBCUs
Best of Health: Desert Institute for Spine Care
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot & Ankle Surgery
Visit Tri-Valley, California
Must Read: I'll Take You There by Greg Kot
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Giving: The Hope Takes Flight Campaign
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - February 2014